The abducted Principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Folawe Alamu, has broken her silence from captivity, dismissing reports that her kidnappers are demanding a N1 billion ransom, weapons or the imposition of Sharia law in Nigeria.
In a viral video that surfaced online on Monday, the school principal, who has spent 24 days in captivity, said false reports circulating in the media were complicating efforts to secure the release of those being held.
Mrs Alamu disclosed that the kidnappers had shown them newspaper reports claiming they were demanding a huge ransom, arms and the establishment of Sharia law, describing such claims as untrue.
“Everyone, please I have come to make some clarifications. Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place and it seems that some people are making our problems complicated already,” she said.
According to her, the abductors have not demanded money, weapons or any religious concessions.
“We have been here and we have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. They have not troubled us concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law. They are not asking for money,” she stated.
The visibly distressed principal said the only demand communicated by the kidnappers was the release of some of their members currently in government custody.
“The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people. I don’t know why they are peddling this rumour to make it complicated for us,” she said.
Mrs Alamu appealed to Nigerians and the authorities not to politicise the matter, urging them to focus on securing the freedom of the captives.
“Please, we are begging you. Don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, please help us circulate this. Let it go viral. They are not asking for Sharia law. It is not true. They are not asking for weapons. They are not asking for money,” she pleaded.
She further called on the government to engage directly with the abductors to ascertain the identities of the individuals whose release they are demanding.
“All they want is the release of some people, and the government will negotiate with them and know those that they will release for them. I don’t know why they are playing politics with our lives,” she added.
In an emotional appeal, Mrs Alamu urged Nigerians to amplify her message and prevent what she described as misinformation surrounding the kidnappers’ demands.
“Please, Nigerians, our lives are in your hands. Help us make this go viral. Don’t let the government deceive the whole world. They are not asking for Sharia. They are not asking for money. They are not asking for weapons. All they want is the release of some of their people,” she said.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies and government authorities had not officially responded to the claims contained in the video.
